Visitors from Gershon City

Li Wei was currently in his Gnoll form, and his scales hadn't grown in yet. If he were suddenly blown away by a steam bomb, although it wouldn't be fatal, being riddled with metal shrapnel would likely be quite unpleasant.

The reason he didn't immediately warn the engrossed Old Dwarf was, fundamentally, because Li Wei harbored a desire to test him.

After all, while Zelandia's existence had its clear reasons, Li Wei couldn't believe that if these Duergar lacked a certain resistance, the greedy Long Ears of Gershon City wouldn't have seized such a large piece of meat. Wouldn't enjoying the underground mineral resources alone be more satisfying?

As expected, at the very moment the explosion was about to occur, Old Dwarf Tiger's expression instantly shifted from fervent to shocked, astonished, enlightened, confused, angry, and finally, embarrassed. It was truly a spectacle. Then, he displayed agility completely unbefitting his physique, turning and fleeing.

His movements were still half a beat slower than the others. However, as scorching steam, mixed with shattered metal parts, scattered towards him, a ripple-like fluctuation suddenly appeared around his body.

The splashing white steam and metal fragments abruptly slowed down, even stopping outside the ripple.

The scene was strikingly similar to the protagonist in The Matrix using his mind to create an air wall to block bullets. It was incredibly cool.

"Psionics! This damned dwarf has awakened psionics! Could he have actually escaped from those Mind Flayers in Iron Melting Fortress?"

Li Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he were re-evaluating his new partner in his mind.

"Psionics! True psionics! A Duergar who has awakened psionics! I, Garvin, have finally found him!!"

At the same time, Garvin, on the other side, was far more shocked and emotionally complex than Li Wei upon witnessing this scene.

Why had he, like a madman, 'abandoned his wife and children' and ventured into the Underdark? It was precisely because his mentor had said he possessed rare psionic talent, so he wanted to try and find Duergar who had awakened psionics in the Underdark to learn from them.

And the result? Not only did he fail to find his target, but he also sacrificed ten years of his youth, even his entire life. A dignified Mage of the Illusion school, he had been forced to live incognito here as a miner for ten years!

But after ten years of despair, he suddenly discovered that his long-held wish, the object of his decade-long search, was, damn it all, the former boss he had dealt with for ten years!

This kind of emotional roller coaster, with its twists and turns, was unimaginable for ordinary people.

However, to everyone's eyes, Old Dwarf Tiger's moment of glory lasted less than three milliseconds.

The next moment, the piston rod from the shattered cylinder broke through the psionic defense, which had been maintained to its limit, and with a thwack, plunged into the old dwarf's withered backside.

"Ah~" The old dwarf let out a strange howl and immediately collapsed.

The scene was so tragic that everyone who witnessed this world-famous painting averted their gaze with discomfort.

It was the quick-witted Livestock Officer Garvin who rushed forward first, expressing concern and asking, "Master Tiger! Don't move! I'll tend to your wounds right away."

Without a word, the simpleton made a move to pull out the still-scalding piston rod, scaring the old dwarf into a shiver. He quickly reached out to stop him, "Stop! Hold on! I... I can handle it myself."

The old dwarf, whose body and mind had nearly suffered a second blow, immediately diverted Garvin's attention, saying, "I need to see Master Hogg. I have an urgent matter to report to him in advance."

"What could be more important than your injuries? Master Tiger, I think you should go back and rest today. The steam engine has been proven completely feasible with your assistance, and we can work with the dwarf artisans to build a batch of trial products in the next few days for mineral exploration," Li Wei said, walking over and feigning comfort.

Tiger rolled his eyes, having already cursed Li Wei, who deliberately hadn't warned him, a thousand times in his heart. He decided to get straight to the point, "The magical fluctuations caused by the Arcane Fireball you released when blasting the West Mining Area entrance today have already attracted the attention of Gershon City. According to the message from our brothers in the Upper City, a small investigation team will likely be sent soon to thoroughly investigate the source of those magical fluctuations."

He didn't offer any reminders or instructions to Li Wei, but instead chose to state the intelligence plainly and truthfully. As for how to deal with it, he believed that Li Wei, this Gnoll with a heart darker than his face, would have his own plans after hearing the news, without needing him to waste his breath.

He even suspected that whether the Gnoll identity was real was still debatable.

After all, who had ever seen another Gnoll call another Gnoll Master? And who had ever seen a Gnoll capable of casting Arcane Great Fireball?

"Time?" Li Wei nodded, indicating he understood, and asked.

"How would I know that? I don't have any brothers who can infiltrate their Matriarch Council. But it shouldn't be that fast. You know the efficiency of Drow councils; every time, it's accompanied by all sorts of balancing and scheming. I wonder which family's 'lucky one' it will be this time, haha." The Old Dwarf laughed gloatingly, but then seemed to pull something indescribable in his lower back, his smile twitching.

Li Wei also chuckled. Although the Old Dwarf didn't say it explicitly, Li Wei could understand. Given the Drow's nature, upon learning of the significant Arcane fluctuations from the Dark Magic Web region, and with the current inability to dispatch high-level professionals for an extended period, what would be the outcome?

However, he immediately felt a headache. This almost meant he couldn't officially put the 'Steam Engine Mine Mule' into production before the Drow investigation team arrived.

If a group of greedy beings suddenly witnessed a massive leap in productivity, the result they would face would be entirely different.

At the very least, Li Wei was not yet prepared for a full-scale war with the Drow.

The trial run of Zelandia's first Steam Engine concluded with a spectacular explosion. The Livestock Officer Garvin, who had intended to get closer to his former boss while seeing off Old Tiger, was dragged back to the Cavens Rat Farm by Huozi by the collar to continue his breeding endeavors.

However, to Li Wei's surprise, the Old Dwarf, whose posterior was still sore, came back full of energy early the next morning. Apart from a peculiar gait when walking, there was little to indicate he had been blown up just yesterday. As soon as he arrived, he clamored for the immediate construction of a second Steam Engine.

He wasn't alone this time; dozens of dwarves carrying various tools and tons of refined iron ingots followed behind him.

It had to be said that the dwarves' smelting and forging skills were far superior to Li Wei's, an amateur. Li Wei didn't even need to lift a finger. The bald man Fischer and Igg's Arcane Flame Hand were sufficient to act as welders, joining the steel plates forged by the dwarves. Simultaneously, they continuously improved this most primitive version of the Steam Engine based on their past knowledge.

As the group was enthusiastically engaged in 'closed-door fabrication (Mine Mule Car),' a troop of fully armed Drow arrived in Zelandia.

Thanks to classmate [xiaotang246] for the hundred-coin reward. Continuing to ask for recommendation votes!